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Durban The 0auritius 0eteoro logical SerYices 00S has lifted its cyclone warning bulletin as of yesterday.

According to the island nation’s weather serYice, a heaYy rain watch is in force oYer the the country.

“This is the last cyclone bulletin for 0auritius. ActiYe cloud bands are e[pected to cross the island during the day. A heaYy rain watch is in force oYer 0auritius,´ said 00S.

The lifting of the cyclone warning comes following reports of flights be ing grounded and the country shutting its stock e[change as tropical cyclone Freddy approached the island. Emer gency teams also braced for heaYy rains, floods and landslides in four regions on 0adagascar on 0onday.

0auritius announced that the in ternational airport would be closed from 0onday until further notice, Al -a]eera reported.

“Air 0auritius is closely monitoring the situation with the authorities and will keep passengers informed of de Yelopments,´ the national carrier said on its website.

Observations

“Report from the National Crisis Committee confirms that outdoor risks haYe considerably decreased. In addition, weather obserYations indicate that Freddy is continuing to moYe away from the island and winds haYe subsided,´ said 00S.

The weather serYice had e[pected Freddy to pass as close as km to the north north west of the island late in the afternoon.

“As Freddy approaches « a storm surge is likely to cause coastal inun dation in risk areas. It is, therefore, strictly adYised not to go at sea,´ the serYice’s bulletin said.

It is reported that the goYernment’s disaster management office was send ing tents, ropes and chainsaws and other supplies to four districts most likely to be affected, officials added.

The Indian Ocean islands and 0o ]ambiTue on Africa’s coast haYe been hit by a string of deadly storms and cyclones that haYe forced thousands to flee, destroyed buildings and ruined crops.